Letters to the editor: June 25

Help stop hog operation request in White County

Rezoning request 1008, which allows a 9,240-head, hog confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) directly across the road (within 800 yards) of Camp Tecumseh, was approved by the White County Area Plan Commission by a vote of 7 to 2, with one abstention, on June 10. Quoting from the rezone ballot used by the APC:

"The following criteria must be considered in determining your vote for this rezone petition. The proposed rezoning:

"1. Is consistent with the goals, objective and policies of the White County Strategic (Comprehensive) Plan and any other applicable planning studies and reports, as adopted and amended from time to time.

"2. Is compatible with current conditions (e.g. existing lots, structures and uses) and the overall character of existing development in the immediate vicinity of the subject property.

"3. Is the most desirable use for which the land in the subject property is adapted.

"4. Will not have an adverse effect on the value of properties throughout the jurisdiction.

"5. Reflects responsible standards for growth and development."

It appears that the petitioner has met all the state requirements regarding water, structures, and setbacks; however, mindful of the above criteria, it is difficult to understand how the seven APC members could have voted to approve the CAFO considering the nearby subdivisions and Camp Tecumseh.

This rezoning request will come before the White County commissioners on July 1 for final approval. Please help us oppose this by voicing your opposition in writing (letter or email) to the White County commissioners (John Heimlich, Steve Burton and David Diener) at Box 260, 110 N. Main St. Monticello, IN 47960 (dtirpak@whitecountyindiana.us); and/or attending the meeting on the second floor of the county building.

David P. Krause

Delphi

Paying for lost license; let my mo-ped be

People (me included) are trying to do the right thing and obey the law by not driving without a license. The law states that as long as your mo-ped is under 50cc, you are not required to have a license. I have already been punished enough for losing my license. Why should I still be punished for obeying the law?

People do make mistakes and not everyone is perfect. The majority of people you see on mo-peds are the ones who are obeying the law and not driving a car. I'm trying to get to work on time, and I'm currently on community corrections. They only give us a half-hour travel time, and the bus system isn't fast enough to get us there.

There are more important things to worry about, like our roads, gas prices, etc.

Martin Hatten

Lafayette

The reason why I honked at your cycling group

At 7:15 p.m. June 19, at the intersection of Yeager Road and Kalberer Road in West Lafayette, 15 to 20 bicyclists in the road, two to three deep (understand, not the bicycle lane), blew through the intersection at top speed without stopping.

I may have honked my horn at them.

Donna Granger

West Lafayette

With customer service, problem can be our own

In a recent letter writer posits the question, "Where has customer service gone these days?" I think a more valid point to consider might be: Where has the time for communication gone these days?

All too often it is not the fault of the service worker when it comes to our waiting times and actual service. It is the fault of the general public, who either go through the "drive-thru" to get their products with greater speed or who refuse to offer the kind word while impatiently waiting in line.

Today's workers are not even given time to "take pride in their work," as the writer feels they should. However, I've discovered that words of friendly compliments, jokes with other patrons and then enjoyment of the products served works well to make the restaurant experience much more pleasurable. Sometimes merely slowing down to say "hello" and "thank you" will suffice.